Law Society appoints consultancy to review challenges for sole practitioners and small firms

The review will examine smaller solicitor firms’ “operating environment, the challenges they experience and the opportunities that exist to ensure their ongoing sustainability and growth”.

In a note circulated to firms, Law Society president Michael Quinlan said that he intended for firms to “benefit from an independent and strategic assessment of what changes can be made to better position themselves and plan for the future”.

He added: “I am delighted to announce that Crowe Horwath have been appointed by the Society to undertake this review.

“I am confident that their experience working with similar projects, the quality of their team and the benefit of their international network will be of distinct value to the profession.

“As part of the review they will conduct a survey, focus group sessions and stakeholder engagement with relevant third parties. Applying their management consultancy experience, we look forward to Crowe Horwath bringing a number of practical recommendations back to the profession in Autumn of this year.

“I would strongly urge all practices who are contacted by Crowe Horwath to participate in the survey, as the findings will be of key importance to the review and will assist them to conduct their analysis and make meaningful recommendations for everyone’s benefit.”